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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. continues to make an impressive showing in the Jacksonville Jaguars' training camp. Fowler missed all of last season due to a torn ACL, sustained just days after the Jaguars had made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft. The former University of Florida standout was thought to be the answer to Jacksonville's woeful pass rush, but he never got a chance to show his skills last season.
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He is making up for lost time in a big way, as he is dominating Jaguars offensive linemen, including the starters. At times he has taken it a step too far, such as when he collided with running back Chris Ivory in drills earlier this week. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash has called him "a bull in a china closet" when asked about his newcomer at the defensive end spot.
"He actually had a question in meetings about how he can slow down and not hit people, which is a good thing," Wash said. "We love the energy and the effort that he plays with -- we just have to get him to slow down and play within himself. He tries to do too much at times."
--The Denard Robinson "sleeping while driving" incident came to an apparent close with the running back receiving a $100 fine for his charge of careless driving.
Robinson said he fell asleep at the wheel when he drove his Chevrolet Impala into a retention pond in Jacksonville. The third-year pro insisted that he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
"I feel blessed, because it could have been a situation where I wasn't talking to you right now," Robinson said in speaking to reporters for the first time about his single-car accident on July 3. "The situation could've been way worse. I could've hurt somebody or killed somebody, so I'm truly blessed that nothing happened to nobody. I came out with no scratches, and my passenger was the same way."
The police report said that officers had to help Robinson and his passenger out of the car that was partially submerged in water. Robinson's lawyer has since said that the car was not in water.
"I fell asleep at the light," Robinson said. "I was at the light sitting there waiting and I ended up dozing off. It was late at night (4:20 a.m.) and I had a busy day. It was one of those days where I should've just stayed in. I made a mistake."
--As the Jaguars prepare for their first live scrimmage Friday night inside EverBank Field, the offensive line continues to be a question mark.
For the second day in a row, the starters along the line were left tackle Josh Wells, left guard Luke Joeckel, center Tyler Shatley, right guard A.J. Cann and right tackle Jermey Parnell.
Two of the five return as starters in the same position they played a year ago. Two of the listed five for the Friday scrimmage are not likely to retain their starting spots. Wells will be replaced by Kelvin Beachum, and Shatley will give way to Brandon Linder.
Joeckel was the starter at right tackle a year ago, leaving only Cann and Parnell to return to their normal starting positions.
Linder is currently out with a groin injury, while Beachum is still recovering from his offseason ACL surgery. Linder played right guard for the Jaguars the past two seasons, though he missed the team's final 13 games a year ago due to a labral tear in his left shoulder.
The lack of carryover from 2015 is a reason why projected starters Beachum and Linder need to get back to action as soon as possible so that the O-line can start building some cohesiveness and confidence prior to the start of the regular season.
--The Jaguars made Malik Jackson a priority once free agency opened up in March.
Jacksonville latched onto the former Denver Broncos defensive tackle, convincing him that he would be the key to an improved pass rush. To back up the words, the team offered Jackson a lucrative $85.5 million contract, $42 million of which would be guaranteed.
That was enough to get Jackson leave the comfortable surroundings of a stout Broncos defense and come to play for a suspect defense in Jacksonville.
Thus far, both sides are happy with the way things have worked out.
Jackson has been impressive in the first eight days of training camp, often overwhelming his teammates on offense with bull rushes or quick moves to the inside. Jackson showed his commitment to his new team by losing 12 pounds prior to the start of training camp, a move that has helped with his conditioning in the heat and humidity of Florida weather.
"It paid off well," Jackson said. "I was running around, got a little tired, but the heat will do that to you. I felt good. It's the perfect situation. I wasn't dragging or huffing or puffing, so a good start."
The Jaguars moved Jackson around in offseason drills, at times utilizing his talents to play the strong-side end spot. But now that training camp has begun, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley indicated that the 6-5, 308-pounder will now settle in playing the 3-technique spot.
"He has done a good job," Bradley said. "I'll tell you what, he does a good job working on the edge. You know when you see him on a guard. Good technique and conditioning."
--Wide receiver Marqise Lee has missed six consecutive days of practice due to a hamstring ailment. It is the same type of injury that caused Lee to miss nine games in his first two seasons in the league and something that could cost him a roster spot if it continues to be a problem.
--Myles Jack got time with the Jaguars' No. 1 defensive unit at middle linebacker when starter Paul Posluszny was given a veteran's day off. Posluszny has been working closely with Jack, helping him develop as a middle backer, knowing that either later this year or next season, Jack is likely to take away his starting spot.
--Cornerback Jalen Ramsey continues to draw rave reviews for his play in the secondary, even after All-Pro wide receiver Allen Robinson burned the Jaguars rookie defender three times in a recent practice.
--Tight end Julius Thomas has been impressive in training camp and has been near impossible for Jaguars cornerbacks to cover. Thomas was enjoying a similar camp a year ago when he broke a bone in his hand and missed the first four games of the regular season.
--Cornerback Aaron Colvin will miss the team's first four games of the regular season after the league imposed a four-game suspension due to substance abuse. The penalty hasn't slowed Colvin, who has looked sharp in camp. He likely will retain his role as a nickel defender when he returns in Week 5.
--Center Brandon Linder missed the past couple of days of training camp due to a groin injury. Prior to the setback, Linder looked solid with his command along the line and his precision-like shotgun snaps to QB Blake Bortles.
--Bryan Walters continues to be as solid as any of the receivers behind Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Walters doesn't have blazing speed but has excellent hands and will generally catch anything thrown in his direction.
--Defensive tackle Tyson Alualu saw some time at fullback early in training camp, especially in short-yardage situations or in red-zone play. At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds and one of the strongest players on the team, Alualu has been effective in clearing the way for the running backs.
--Placekicker Jason Myers is showing good accuracy in camp thus far. He has converted nearly all of his attempts from less than 60 yards and was just short on a 63-yard attempt. Myers has also been giving his PAT kicking extra time after missing a league-high seven attempts a year ago while converting on 26 of 30 field-goal tries.
